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Xanterra, the private, for profit company that has the contract to operate and maintain all of the visitor facilities (food, lodging, shops) in Yellowstone National Park, does a very poor job and is very pricey.

The Yellowstone River Motel, in Gardiner MT just outside the northern entrance, is a great alternative to staying at a Xanterra-run facility. We stayed in the newer section of the hotel, on the second floor, had 2 queen beds in a very spacious, clean room. Hotel staff were very friendly, room was clean, had a fridge and microwave. It did have a small TV -- but really folks, do you need a TV at YNP? This hotel has a small patio area with seats and tables that overlook the Yellowstone River. I would definitely recommend this hotel.

Room Tip: The newer building has large rooms. Some of the older rooms are right near the Yellowstone River an...

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Stayed August 2013, travelled with family

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Since our stay was last minute and we added 2 nights to our original 2 night reservation, we had to switch rooms twice. We were just happy they had room for us. Actually, we didn't move our luggage, they did. That made it really easy! The first night was in the new part. The second in the really old part, and the third and fourth nights in the middle. The room the second night was the smallest but it was cool that you could hear the sounds of the Yellowstone River through the window. No matter which room, they were always very clean and the beds were very comfy. I can't say enough about the staff; they were totally awesome, from the owner to the folks that cleaned the rooms! The location is perfect. Within easy walking distance to the shops and restaurants on Park Street (which is the street that leads to the North Gate of Yellowstone). I would recommend this to anyone heading to Gardiner!

Room Tip: The rooms in the new section are larger and have a fridge and coffee maker but the older section is...

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Stayed August 2013, travelled as a couple

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We planned to be in Yellowstone National Park for 3-4 days. We utilized Trip Advisor to find a clean, nice place to stay. We found the Yellowstone River Motel at the North entrance of Yellowstone in Gardiner, Montana. We stayed 3 nights and were very pleased with our accommodations. The room carried the Western features of the town and was very clean and comfortable. After a long day of sight seeing we relaxed on the grassy patio overlooking the Yellowstone River. There are cafe's in town to obtain a meal. Our favorite is an Expresso shop that serves coffee grown in the Yellowstone area and scones. The Yellowstone River Motel provides grills, and utensils if you prefer to cook. The staff is very friendly to include Bonnie (resident dog). We would stay at the Yellowstone River Motel again.

Stayed August 2013, travelled as a couple

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Let me start by saying we stayed in the Old, old part of the motel. It was small and dingy. The walls were very thin. The bathroom was about the size of a camper bathroom. You had to turn sideways to get into the shower and wash one side of your body at a time. It was not a dirty room, but it was just old and well worn and very, very small.

Room Tip: I would not stay here again unless there was nothing else. The only good thing about this motel was...

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Stayed August 2013, travelled with family

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I actually really liked this little spot at the Yellowstone River Motel, and debated 3 or 4 on the rating. I just didn't want to mislead anyone--it is rustic, small, a little cramped......but I love this kind of place. We had one of the cabins next to the river---and I enjoyed the knotty pine walls and twig furniture inside the little room. We had two small bedrooms with very basic amenities. There was a fridge...and even a little sink in my room. It was clean and comfortable. It was the location---just above the river, right across from a favorite elk hangout. Located right in Gardiner, it is the perfect base camp for travelling in to Yellowstone. A great place to come "home" to in the evening. There was a grill we could have used outside in the grassy patio area. Each morning, I could sit on the outdoor chairs, look out at the mountains and the river---perfect place to relax and journal.The owners had a little garden there--they were so very friendly and welcoming! We stayed in October, so it was quiet and very enjoyable. I will be back to listen to the elk bugle!

Room Tip: Make sure to ask about the "cabin/rooms" along the river...

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Stayed October 2012, travelled with friends

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Thank Mary N

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We were 4 who stayed one night in this motel. The motel is located cca 500m from the North entrance gate to Yellowstone NP. The suite had 2 separated rooms with their own entrance door and one bathroom accessible from both rooms. Rooms were clean and comfort. One room had a beautiful view on the Yellowstone river. There was no breakfast included, only coffee or tea in the reception.I would recommend this good price value motel with excellent distance to National park Yellowstone and nice seating area behind the Motel with beautiful view on the Yellowstone river.

This is a great place to stay-very friendly staff and owner. We grilled out overlooking the river both nights and it was fantastic. We just bought the food to grill and the staff was very helpful in giving us all the grilling equipment and silverwear we needed. The view of the river is great and we really enjoyed the town of Gardiner. It was bigger and had more there to check out than I had read. I would reccomend Gardiner over West Yellowstone as well. Gardiner is a neat little town with a decent selection of shops, restaurants, and bars to check out, and is very convenient to many parts of the park.

Stayed July 2013, travelled as a couple

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC